UK football should be a destination coaching job.

[Greasy Creak Mafia]

All following content is my opinion/s only........ I think a place as nice and accessible as Lexington, Ky , with a fan base waiting to boil over when we get a winner, well paid, in a conference that is going to showcase you and your skill set, and top 5 facilities and getting better as the years go by, a stadium ,that when packed ,has a big time feel to it. Great Tailgate opportunity as well and should be marketed more as an easy place to do so. Horses , Bourbons, storied hoops and a chance to raise up a power house.

I'd love to have a team known for top notch Defensive play and development, and be known for awesome special teams play. Very aggressive, attack mentality, with an Offense that can run under center, or shot gun, Wildcat or option depending on the need.

I hope the next Urban Myer lands here and shows people what you can do with these facilities and other assets. Set roots here and win us a bowl a year ..and we might get the local Cadillac dealer to donate a Cadillac,and get a local jewelry store to donate a watch as well in order to reverse the curse of the caddy and watch. Im Sure both will do so just for the free advertising ( company write off ) . Let's bring in a Native American guru to make peace with the Indian graveyard commonwealth is built on. What ever it takes to reverse our luck.

We have tried it all before and it's not went great, but the right guy catches fire here and we are off and running. I like Klingsberry because he's an ex QB and calls a good game , runs an entertaining style of Offense and can recruit nationally and Texas well, and has a personality that can get him on any parents couch and pull recruits. But a historical, legacy building opportunity is here for the right coach and I can't wait for the right guy to prove that a winner can be built and carried on here at Kentucky

 

[morgousky]

We have the resources all the way around to be close to a destination job / level of Arkansas and South Carolina. Neither total top tier destination jobs for every coach but capable of it (spurrier etc)

It's all moot right now. We just handed decades of success to Louisville (if he stays, whether you agree or not) and we have no AD that has the type of vision you are suggesting. It will take a new AD and the brass wanting to do it. We just don't have it right now.

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

The whole cadi curse story has been proven to be untrue. We just simply suck. And stoops has certainly helped continue the sucking by conning MB (he knew what he was doing approaching an oblivious AD like MB, let's just say he picked the right AD to go to with graphs and charts) into giving him millions by using colorful charts, graphs, and slideshows into how he'll turn UK into a powerhouse. Stoops just wanted millions, and he wanted an AD dumb enough to give him the money. Guess who had a job open? The one and only, Mitch FREAKING Barnhart.

 

[RS73CAT]

"just wanted millions"??? So you think Stoops doesn't care that he is failing, doesn't care that his reputation is taking a hit, doesn't care that if he completely fails here, he may end up coaching at Div III? Doesn't matter, he's rich. You think he just flat out lied to Mitch, to get a job? Kinda personal question, but since you think $$$$$$ is the most important thing in the world, how much do you make?

 

[nrjblue]

All following content is my opinion/s only........ I think a place as nice and accessible as Lexington, Ky , with a fan base waiting to boil over when we get a winner, well paid, in a conference that is going to showcase you and your skill set, and top 5 facilities and getting better as the years go by, a stadium ,that when packed ,has a big time feel to it. Great Tailgate opportunity as well and should be marketed more as an easy place to do so. Horses , Bourbons, storied hoops and a chance to raise up a power house.

I'd love to have a team known for top notch Defensive play and development, and be known for awesome special teams play. Very aggressive, attack mentality, with an Offense that can run under center, or shot gun, Wildcat or option depending on the need.

I hope the next Urban Myer lands here and shows people what you can do with these facilities and other assets. Set roots here and win us a bowl a year ..and we might get the local Cadillac dealer to donate a Cadillac,and get a local jewelry store to donate a watch as well in order to reverse the curse of the caddy and watch. Im Sure both will do so just for the free advertising ( company write off ) . Let's bring in a Native American guru to make peace with the Indian graveyard commonwealth is built on. What ever it takes to reverse our luck.

We have tried it all before and it's not went great, but the right guy catches fire here and we are off and running. I like Klingsberry because he's an ex QB and calls a good game , runs an entertaining style of Offense and can recruit nationally and Texas well, and has a personality that can get him on any parents couch and pull recruits. But a historical, legacy building opportunity is here for the right coach and I can't wait for the right guy to prove that a winner can be built and carried on here at Kentucky

All following content is my opinion/s only........ I think a place as nice and accessible as Lexington, Ky , with a fan base waiting to boil over when we get a winner, well paid, in a conference that is going to showcase you and your skill set, and top 5 facilities and getting better as the years go by, a stadium ,that when packed ,has a big time feel to it. Great Tailgate opportunity as well and should be marketed more as an easy place to do so. Horses , Bourbons, storied hoops and a chance to raise up a power house.

I'd love to have a team known for top notch Defensive play and development, and be known for awesome special teams play. Very aggressive, attack mentality, with an Offense that can run under center, or shot gun, Wildcat or option depending on the need.

I hope the next Urban Myer lands here and shows people what you can do with these facilities and other assets. Set roots here and win us a bowl a year ..and we might get the local Cadillac dealer to donate a Cadillac,and get a local jewelry store to donate a watch as well in order to reverse the curse of the caddy and watch. Im Sure both will do so just for the free advertising ( company write off ) . Let's bring in a Native American guru to make peace with the Indian graveyard commonwealth is built on. What ever it takes to reverse our luck.

We have tried it all before and it's not went great, but the right guy catches fire here and we are off and running. I like Klingsberry because he's an ex QB and calls a good game , runs an entertaining style of Offense and can recruit nationally and Texas well, and has a personality that can get him on any parents couch and pull recruits. But a historical, legacy building opportunity is here for the right coach and I can't wait for the right guy to prove that a winner can be built and carried on here at Kentucky

 

[nrjblue]

It is a destination job. It's one where coaching careers go to die.

 

[docholiday51]

It is a destination job. It's one where coaching careers go to die.

Sadly this is true,does anyone really think the last half dozen coaches came here wanting to fail? This is an exceedingly difficult place to win,hell it is damn near impossible to come here and go .500.We can rag on coaches all we want but we are in a conference with about 4 built in losses most every year,that has changed a bit in the East the last couple of years but we haven't been in a position to take advantage of the shift.

Saban,Meyer or someone of that ilk isn't coming here any time soon

 

[gamalielkid]

Sadly this is true,does anyone really think the last half dozen coaches came here wanting to fail? This is an exceedingly difficult place to win,hell it is damn near impossible to come here and go .500.We can rag on coaches all we want but we are in a conference with about 4 built in losses most every year,that has changed a bit in the East the last couple of years but we haven't been in a position to take advantage of the shift.

Saban,Meyer or someone of that ilk isn't coming here any time soon

This can and should be a destination job now! In my lifetime, this is the first time that UK has everything (I think) to compete. Great living quarters, great academic situation, great training facilities, great practice facilities and a excellent stadium. Coaches are being paid fair salaries and the SEC is riding high and printing money like crazy for its schools. The fan support is here, the city is actually one of the best places to live in all of America and we have great weather, great local community and of course the best horse racing and bourbon in the world. We don't compete with professional franchises ( unless you are a Bungals fan). Lexington is located within a 8 hour drive of some very fertile football recruiting territory as well.

The time is right - we only need one more thing to be perfect. It has been mentioned for 50 years plus why we aren't ready for big time football - the ATHLETIC Department. We MUST have either a Football Oriented AD or even better a "Football Czar". If you look at any successful College Football Program you will find the Athletic Department is providing everything the programs needs. The total sports programs at a major University's either have one or the other - UK doesn't! I respectfully say this, as I value frugality, but an athletic department that doesn't consider money an issue when it comes to the football program. The question is, is UK ready to make that move? When you do - you will see a great football program and will have a great coach. For those who don't want to replace Barnhart- the Football Czar is the answer. How much money has Barnhart actually cost the UK football program from his lack of knowledge about the sport's potential revenue stream and coaching contracts? I would say having a czar would pay for himself many, many times over every year!

Go Big Blue!

 

[brianpoe]

Can someone name another "destination job" with the same lack of instate recruiting and legacy?

I'll hang up and listen.

 

[Nuke99m.]

Can someone name another "destination job" with the same lack of instate recruiting and legacy?

I'll hang up and listen.

Oregon? (I know they have Nike money)

 

[JasonS.]

I'd rather have a coach or two hired away by a better program. That's better IMO than finding our answer to Kirk Ferentz ... look down the road for a good example (JLS to Michigan State, Petrino to the Falcons, Strong to Texas).

Any coach that sees Kentucky as a destination job ... probably not all that great of a coach.

 

[irishcat1965]

It is a destination job. It's one where coaching careers go to die.

It has been. But with the proper direction from a competent AD, it doesn't have to be that way.

 

[brianpoe]

Oregon? (I know they have Nike money)

You are correct, Nike built the program. But this was the only one I could really think of as well and I'm not sure it merits the term but maybe.

Prior to Nike they named their field after a coach with a losing record and only one bowl win...

Their last head coach seemed to think the destination job was in the NFL, which is excusable.

But after Saban and Spurrier's flops I dont see many "destination job" coaches leaving for the pros.

 

[JasonS.]

But after Saban and Spurrier's flops I dont see many "destination job" coaches leaving for the pros.

I think Jim Harbaugh and David Shaw both go back to the NFL at some point, but it's not a long list.

 

[brianpoe]

It has been. But with the proper direction from a competent AD, it doesn't have to be that way.

I never see Destination in our title but we could become a Wisconsin, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Boise State, and BYU.

 

[cardinals1970]

UofL was about to drop the football program to Div. II or drop it completely before we hired Schnellenberger. It has taken some time build it up with bumps in the road I.E. Ron Cooper and Steve Krapthorpe. The fan in me says it is a destination job but realistically I don't think UofL is to that level just yet but a lot closer then we were back in the early 80's.

 

[megablue]

To his credit, Stoops had a plan and effectively presented it to Barnhart. I can't say, for certain, but I suspect the "charts and graphs" probably indicated that Ohio would be the springboard to bringing SEC-level talent to Kentucky in large numbers. We've had players from Ohio before, but nowhere near the number we have now, as everyone knows. Besides the coaching limitations of Stoops and his staff, I think the premise and thesis of his hiring have proven to be invalid. With roughly a third of our scholarship players being from Ohio, I think it's become obvious that the vast majority are not SEC-level players, regardless of their stars. An honest evaluation of the depth chart and on-field performance demonstrates this. Many have transferred, also.

Because we had never really done it before and it was a somewhat novel strategy, convincing Barnhart ( and those he consulted) that recruiting Ohio really hard would bring success is not unthinkable, far-fetched or outlandish. However, I can't help but wonder if an in-depth review of the strategy by recruiting strategists and experienced football minds might have indicated otherwise. It seems we have ended up with more MAC-level talent, than SEC-level talent, while severely limiting our search and recruitment of players from the deep South and elsewhere. If Stoops stays, it will be interesting to see if this approach changes any, going forward, with less emphasis in his home state.

 

[brianpoe]

UofL was about to drop the football program to Div. II or drop it completely before we hired Schnellenberger. It has taken some time build it up with bumps in the road I.E. Ron Cooper and Steve Krapthorpe. The fan in me says it is a destination job but realistically I don't think UofL is to that level just yet but a lot closer then we were back in the early 80's.

Louisville will never be a destination school for a coach.

I will give them credit for their recent successes, and a good coach can do that.

But John L Smith, Bobby Petrino, and Charlie Strong have proven that it is most definitely not a final destination job.

 

[docholiday51]

This can and should be a destination job now! In my lifetime, this is the first time that UK has everything (I think) to compete. Great living quarters, great academic situation, great training facilities, great practice facilities and a excellent stadium. Coaches are being paid fair salaries and the SEC is riding high and printing money like crazy for its schools. The fan support is here, the city is actually one of the best places to live in all of America and we have great weather, great local community and of course the best horse racing and bourbon in the world. We don't compete with professional franchises ( unless you are a Bungals fan). Lexington is located within a 8 hour drive of some very fertile football recruiting territory as well.

The time is right - we only need one more thing to be perfect. It has been mentioned for 50 years plus why we aren't ready for big time football - the ATHLETIC Department. We MUST have either a Football Oriented AD or even better a "Football Czar". If you look at any successful College Football Program you will find the Athletic Department is providing everything the programs needs. The total sports programs at a major University's either have one or the other - UK doesn't! I respectfully say this, as I value frugality, but an athletic department that doesn't consider money an issue when it comes to the football program. The question is, is UK ready to make that move? When you do - you will see a great football program and will have a great coach. For those who don't want to replace Barnhart- the Football Czar is the answer. How much money has Barnhart actually cost the UK football program from his lack of knowledge about the sport's potential revenue stream and coaching contracts? I would say having a czar would pay for himself many, many times over every year!

Go Big Blue!

We now have all the things that you state,but as another poster says in-state recruiting is a problem(look at the D-line with Elam and Middleton needed to play big roles)

While I don't believe in the curse of the Bear we also have 50 or 60 years of mindset to overcome. I could cite dozens of freak ways we have turned wins into losses starting with the Bradshaw years and going to the Stoops years.I wish someone had a workable plan to overcome that issue and make no mistake it is an issue.

Calborne and Brooks can close to beating it but they got here too late in their careers to really have a chance to finish the job,I think it will take a coach who is in his mid to late 30's who is willing to be here for an extended period of time.

I have followed UK sports from age 6 or 7 until now(mid 60's) and I don't expect to see UK football get to the top tier of the SEC in my lifetime.If I could be around to see year over year of 7-5 or 8-4 I would be satisfied with that.

 

[cardinals1970]

Louisville will never be a destination school for a coach.

I will give them credit for their recent successes, and a good coach can do that.

But John L Smith, Bobby Petrino, and Charlie Strong have proven this point that it is most definitely not a final destination job.

To me a destination job needs to be a school that has staying power and tradition in the sport which neither UK or UofL have. Florida wasn't anything special before The ole Ball coach, FSU wasn't much before Bowden same with VA Tech and Beamer.

 

[brianpoe]

To me a destination job needs to be a school that has staying power and tradition in the sport which neither UK or UofL have. Florida wasn't anything special before The ole Ball coach, FSU wasn't much before Bowden same with VA Tech and Beamer.

Destination Job is more like one that a coach wouldn't leave for another school...

With the fertile recruiting area of Florida any school committed to football can become one.

VA Tech is not a destination school either. Beamer was an alumni who was born and raised an hour away from the school.

I'd bet there are a number of schools Fuente would leave for if he start having success.

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

"just wanted millions"??? So you think Stoops doesn't care that he is failing, doesn't care that his reputation is taking a hit, doesn't care that if he completely fails here, he may end up coaching at Div III? Doesn't matter, he's rich. You think he just flat out lied to Mitch, to get a job? Kinda personal question, but since you think $$$$$$ is the most important thing in the world, how much do you make?

I think he went to the right AD with graphs and charts in order to attain millions. He has never been a head coach before, he has to know he sucks. He had to have had a hint that he sucks before going to MB with colorful graphs and charts. Obviously the guy wanted millions. Who doesn't? He did go to the right AD with colors and whatnot in order to attain the millions. No way he didn't know he was clueless before taking the job. He didn't wake up one day and decide, I'm not clueless anymore I have what it takes to be an HC.

 

[brianpoe]

I think he went to the right AD with graphs and charts in order to attain millions. He has never been a head coach before, he has to know he sucks. He had to have had a hint that he sucks before going to MB with colorful graphs and charts. Obviously the guy wanted millions. Who doesn't? He did go to the right AD with colors and whatnot in order to attain the millions. No way he didn't know he was clueless before taking the job. He didn't wake up one day and decide, I'm not clueless anymore I have what it takes to be an AD.

 

[NoviG8r]

A "Destination" job includes a variety of characteristics, not all equally important at the handful of these jobs, but important nonetheless. There are schools which have several of these traits but which are still not considered by most to be a "Destination Job" for a head football coach.

I would suggest the following list includes schools not currently considered such a job, but which have had different levels of success ....... Miami, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Mississippi, Arkansas, BYU, California, Washington, Utah, Penn State, Virginia
Tech, Louisville, and Colorado, to name a few.

Resources, facilities, recruiting base, fan support, administration & AD, boosters, prominent stadium & attendance, media coverage, quality of life, program success & history, head coach & assistant salaries, etc. I think it is possible, over time, for schools to join or leave the list of "Destination Jobs".

 

[irishcat1965]

I never see Destination in our title but we could become a Wisconsin, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Boise State, and BYU.

I agree. My point was it doesn't have to be a destination where coaching careers die.

 

[olblue]

All following content is my opinion/s only........ I think a place as nice and accessible as Lexington, Ky , with a fan base waiting to boil over when we get a winner, well paid, in a conference that is going to showcase you and your skill set, and top 5 facilities and getting better as the years go by, a stadium ,that when packed ,has a big time feel to it. Great Tailgate opportunity as well and should be marketed more as an easy place to do so. Horses , Bourbons, storied hoops and a chance to raise up a power house.

I'd love to have a team known for top notch Defensive play and development, and be known for awesome special teams play. Very aggressive, attack mentality, with an Offense that can run under center, or shot gun, Wildcat or option depending on the need.

I hope the next Urban Myer lands here and shows people what you can do with these facilities and other assets. Set roots here and win us a bowl a year ..and we might get the local Cadillac dealer to donate a Cadillac,and get a local jewelry store to donate a watch as well in order to reverse the curse of the caddy and watch. Im Sure both will do so just for the free advertising ( company write off ) . Let's bring in a Native American guru to make peace with the Indian graveyard commonwealth is built on. What ever it takes to reverse our luck.

We have tried it all before and it's not went great, but the right guy catches fire here and we are off and running. I like Klingsberry because he's an ex QB and calls a good game , runs an entertaining style of Offense and can recruit nationally and Texas well, and has a personality that can get him on any parents couch and pull recruits. But a historical, legacy building opportunity is here for the right coach and I can't wait for the right guy to prove that a winner can be built and carried on here at Kentucky

I disagree about the tailgating experience at UK. One of the worst I've seen.

As far as facilities go, its obviously better to have them than not, but at the end of the day they are just brick and mortar. Unless UK overcomes the stigma associated with being a basketball school and develops some type of football culture, it will be in danger of becoming Facility University - as in FU.

 

[olblue]

Louisville will never be a destination school for a coach.

There are only a handful of them in all of college football.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

I'd rather have a coach or two hired away by a better program. That's better IMO than finding our answer to Kirk Ferentz ... look down the road for a good example (JLS to Michigan State, Petrino to the Falcons, Strong to Texas).

Any coach that sees Kentucky as a destination job ... probably not all that great of a coach.

That is about as accurate as it can be. To be a destination job, requires sustained success, buy in from all, and the pure enjoyment of football.
Look around at the destination football programs. LSU is getting tired of Miles, Georgia seems to be changing coaches as often as some change their briefs, Auburn cannot commit to more than a few seasons when Alabama is winning.
Not sure what makes us a destination job over about 50 other programs.
The best outcome for us at this time, is to be a pass-through program. Hire young and rising coaches who will succeed and then move on to bigger programs. More coaches will see the opportunity to get farther in their career. Eventually one will stick around for a while or be a legacy coach, a former player or from Kentucky.
As Jason S said look at Louisville. Their coaches are hired away because they are winning. At some point a coach will stay there and be like a Bobby Bowden and walk the sidelines for 15 years.
The process to be a destination is simply a long drown out series of events. It will not be overnight. How do we erase 100 years of poor football.

 

[katfanuno]

Tailgating at uk games is fine for bluehairs, isn't and never will be a destination job. History speaks for itself, coaches/careers come to die here.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Not sure of everyone else, but last Saturday we were at the band competition at Lafayette. We left for late lunch at 4:00 just at kickoff and had to be back around 5:30. Anyway we went down to The Cookout. There were dozens of fans, mostly coming in from the rain who were tailgating. I would estimate in our time their, there must have been 100 dressed in blue/white.
I asked a few if they were headed to the game. Most said they had tickets but were probably not going.
I just thought it was strange that the fans would have tailgated, stayed out in the rain, gotten soaked, then decided not to go to the game.

 

[katfanuno]

Tailgating at uk games is fine for bluehairs, isn't and never will be a destination job. History speaks for itself, coaches/careers come to die here.

 

[gamalielkid]

Can someone name another "destination job" with the same lack of instate recruiting and legacy?

I'll hang up and listen.

What do you consider a destination job? Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan State, Auburn, Tennessee. Maybe some others I would consider to meet this definition.

The key to your question and others is "instate" recruiting. However, one thing Mark Stoops has done and it SHOULD have been done a long time ago - any kid within 6 to 8 hours of UK is a school recruiting territory. When I was at UK, I met lots of people - who were not on athletic scholarship - from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois. Those places could have been and should be strong recruiting territories. Now you want to name a New destination school - hate to say it - but how about UL. Plus Clemson was in our ranks for years as well. We have to pick the "right" young head coach and then this can become one of the destiny jobs. You noticed I mentioned 12 schools. You do realize that UK is now paying it's head coach among the top 20 in the country. We also have one of the top 20 football facilities in the country. To compete you have to have ALL the tools - not just some of them. We have just started to compete - so we should be able to get a coach that would be good now.

Go Big Blue!

 

[brianpoe]

What do you consider a destination job? Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan State, Auburn, Tennessee. Maybe some others I would consider to meet this definition.

The key to your question and others is "instate" recruiting. However, one thing Mark Stoops has done and it SHOULD have been done a long time ago - any kid within 6 to 8 hours of UK is a school recruiting territory. When I was at UK, I met lots of people - who were not on athletic scholarship - from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois. Those places could have been and should be strong recruiting territories. Now you want to name a New destination school - hate to say it - but how about UL. Plus Clemson was in our ranks for years as well. We have to pick the "right" young head coach and then this can become one of the destiny jobs. You noticed I mentioned 12 schools. You do realize that UK is now paying it's head coach among the top 20 in the country. We also have one of the top 20 football facilities in the country. To compete you have to have ALL the tools - not just some of them. We have just started to compete - so we should be able to get a coach that would be good now.

Go Big Blue!

UL not a destination school. When every coach that has success moves on that is a transition school, not destination.

Agree 100% with everything else, good post.

 

[olblue]

What do you consider a destination job? Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan State, Auburn, Tennessee. Maybe some others I would consider to meet this definition.

The key to your question and others is "instate" recruiting. However, one thing Mark Stoops has done and it SHOULD have been done a long time ago - any kid within 6 to 8 hours of UK is a school recruiting territory. When I was at UK, I met lots of people - who were not on athletic scholarship - from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois. Those places could have been and should be strong recruiting territories. Now you want to name a New destination school - hate to say it - but how about UL. Plus Clemson was in our ranks for years as well. We have to pick the "right" young head coach and then this can become one of the destiny jobs. You noticed I mentioned 12 schools. You do realize that UK is now paying it's head coach among the top 20 in the country. We also have one of the top 20 football facilities in the country. To compete you have to have ALL the tools - not just some of them. We have just started to compete - so we should be able to get a coach that would be good now.

Go Big Blue!

Its interesting but of the list you mention - off the top of my head - I can remember coaches leaving LSU (Saban), USC (Carroll), Michigan State (Saban again), and Tennessee (Kiffin) for other jobs (Alabama too if you count Perkins to TB and Curry to UK).

 

[gamalielkid]

UL not a destination school. When a every coach that has success moves on that is a transition school, not destination.

Agree 100% with everything else, good post.

Brian can't argue about UL.

Go Big Blue!

 

[brianpoe]

Its interesting but of the list you mention - off the top of my head - I can remember coaches leaving LSU (Saban), USC (Carroll), Michigan State (Saban again), and Tennessee (Kiffin) for other jobs (Alabama too if you count Perkins to TB and Curry to UK).

Qualify these....

Saban left LSU for the NFL
Carrol left USC left for the NFL
Saban left MSU for LSU
Kiffen left UT for USC
Perkins left Bama for NFL
Curry was about to be booted.

NFL is a different animal.
Kiffin and Saban left for bigger Destination Schools.

 

[morgousky]

Kentucky cannot be a "destination job" in the max of that particular context. It's the wrong question to be asking. There are only a handful of actual "destination jobs". As in jobs that even an alumni, former player etc would consider leaving their home school for. Alabama and a few others are the only ones that will ever fit that bill, much like UK in basketball.

The real question is can UK become the next tier, as in a job that can compete on the level with South Carolina, Arkansas, VT, etc. Yes, we can. It doesn't necessarily take a ton of in state talent to do this. Does it help? Yes. Is it absolutely necessary? Not in college football TODAY. The recourses in college football (especially the SEC) are too rich for that in itself to be a defining barrier.

There's a few things Uk would have to do to have a UT legacy built in the next 5 decades.

1. Fan base must demand it. Not show up season after season and accept mediocrity and beg for a 6 win season. This would be the first need.
2. An AD with the vision to want to compete for SEC championships. Not being content with 6 wins and a Sanitation Dept. Bowl. A guy who is willing to take risk, appropriate the recourses directly, and move the needle with the brass and big money. Simply building a complex isn't going to do it, you need (I say this a lot) VISION past each barrier you climb over. Barnhart has too many other concerns and isn't this type at all.
3. Employ a recruiting guru and pay the man extremely well to oversee Uk's pipelines. I would damn near make a completely knew label (director of recruiting coordination) and dish the cash to keep him. Each coach could name their own and be approved by the AD described above.

Sounds far fetched but it can happen. Will it happen? Probably not. UK fans just don't have the stomach to demand it, our AD isn't pushed to do it, and the big wigs are content. Maybe after 30 years of watching Louisville completely own them, the next generations will have the balls to make a move.

I really do not think most people understand how rich the SEC pie and ESPN deals have made UK. Everyone relates Barnhart or UK football to past times. They simply do not understand the changes in the last decade, and our administration loves that they don't have a grasp of it.

 

[BChuck1975]

In the way that Florida is a destination for old people.

 

[Greasy Creak Mafia]

You don't get tradition and legacy first...it gets built .and Kentucky is not the destination job yet. But I think it could be. If your a DC or and OC or coaching App St then a good paying totally stocked SEC school is a destination job.

I guess it comes down to what each individual interpretes the term Destination Job to be. But top 5 facilities in a nice town, where the fans are passionate and in the top conference that pays well is a good start.

 

[BIGCAT4LIFE]